Everything's been going pretty well and lots of data gathering, learning, reading and seeing how things feel at various HR's and power readings, but not concentrating on power numbers, except the odd climb.

And that's when I noticed it. On a climb the other day, every now & then, the 3s power reading would drop to 0 for a few seconds, and then get back to where it should be. The few times I noticed it, it was "meh, it's an odd dropout" and didn't fuss. I noticed it a few more times, but it was a couple of rides before I could sit down and have a deeper look at the data to try and work out the issue.

Below is a snip of a couple of rides where it happened. You can see in the 1st one, it only started happening at the end of the ride, but then on the next one, anything with a sustained incline and consistent power, the W & cadence would drop out every minute for 8-10 sec quite regularly ...

Did a bit of googling and best option I came up with was to replace the battery. Thankfully on the FSA Powerbox (nee P2M NGeco), it was pretty easy.

Until I do a sustained climb, I can't be sure it's fixed, but the last two rides I've done seem to be OK.

Maybe the battery it came with was down on power, dunno.

Standing by to standby.

What annoys me, is that means for the last three decent rides, the data is somewhat corrupted (and will take some time to work itself out), as it shows an overall lower power, but HR is still high, so the F/F/F graphs and FTP calcs are a bit out.

Meh. Just gotta worry about how to handle 170km with a forecast of 41 degrees !!! Discretion may be the better part of valour !!

Just did a google search, coin battery? I've heard with some devices those are notoriously troublesome, the voltage has to be just right.

And on my old stages PM, the battery cover tabs would always break, causing the battery not to connect properly. Hence why I've given up on using the stages. Bumps sometimes would upset it and I used to keep it properly secured with electrical tape, which was also a way to stop water getting into it.

The drop outs you are getting can't be anything like that, they are too regular and nearly perfect intervals.

The HR being high is something I can't say too much about. I use a HR monitor and do watch it, but mainly I go on feel. I can feel when it is going too high and then you work out do you ease off a bit or can you just keep going. I think most experienced riders can do that.

170km in 41C is tough temperatures is very tough. Find the lightest jersey you have - the really light ones are awesome for those conditions and don't forget your hydration. Good luck in that. And it's also a matter of balancing going easy enough to not destroy yourself with going fast enough that you don't just overheat. The slower you go in those temperatures, you still overheat anyway with the lack of airflow.

Anyway, jersey choice is something I don't have as you MUST wear the official one. Or the Gods will descend

I have enough common sense (not sure about others) to take it easy and have no qualms in pulling the pin part way through. It's a course that once you reach a certain point, you are committed, there is no short way back.

I reckon that's at Cudlee Creek, so I'll see on the day. I'll also start early to get ahead of the marauding pack and the heat. It'll be 25 degrees overnight, so already warmish to start.

Whilst Friday hasn't arrived yet, the forecasts seem to keep ramping up and some sections are pretty exposed (heat and wind).

Anyway, jersey choice is something I don't have as you MUST wear the official one. Or the Gods will descend

I have enough common sense (not sure about others) to take it easy and have no qualms in pulling the pin part way through. It's a course that once you reach a certain point, you are committed, there is no short way back.

I reckon that's at Cudlee Creek, so I'll see on the day. I'll also start early to get ahead of the marauding pack and the heat. It'll be 25 degrees overnight, so already warmish to start.

Whilst Friday hasn't arrived yet, the forecasts seem to keep ramping up and some sections are pretty exposed (heat and wind).

Yeah, I did the BUPA ride year before last, riding with Jens Voigt. Jensie wasn't wearing the official jersey, and even though he was the ride ambassador, the volunteers at the rest stops refused him entry and he had to go buy a sausage roll at the BP Service station!

MichaelB wrote:Not really. That is the latest they can announce. Given the forecast for Adelaide and the area the ride goes to is 41 degrees from the BOM, I’m not riding.

Makes no sense. My life is worth more. Pity, but that’s life

That was on the official web site regarding extreme weather. It didn't make sense to leave it so late to make a decision. Indeed BUPA have just sent out a text saying they will decide Thursday evening. I agree it is dangerous for the event to proceed in such hot conditions. In 2010 when temperatures exceeded 40 degress, riders were dropping like flies and many needed to go to hospital.

OK, so it was about 4 weeks since I did my 1st FTP-ish type run up Greenhill Rd (numbers from another post below) ;

MichaelB wrote:Now that the PM is all working like it should, did a 1st go at an FTP-ish type run, in that I went for it up Greenhill Rd in Adelaide. ....... (The climb is 7.2km and averages 6.6%, with a steep pitch at the beginning, but is pretty consistent). Numbers are ;Speed - Max 17.4km/hr, Avg 13.4 km/hrPower - Max 424W, Avg 294W Edit : Peak 20min Power : 297WHR - Max 184bpm, Avg 167bpmCadence - Max 91rpm, Avg 76rpm...

So, it's time for another run. Broke the 1st Golden Rule in trying to keep the main details the same (longer ride to base of climb, two bottles etc), but meh, can only do so much. There was some slight headwind coming round some bends, but wasn't too bad.

Who is online

About the Australian Cycling Forums

The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.